skills/ca-property-tax-appeal/templates/appeal-packet-checklist.md

# Appeal packet checklist

Tailor every item to the county, appeal type, and subject property. Mark missing items; never fabricate them.

## Plain-language action page

Before any instruction to pay or formally file, show the verified county fee, whether it is refundable, the estimated one-year variable-tax benefit, the first-year estimate after unavoidable fees, the break-even assessed-value reduction, evidence confidence, and any verified waiver or free informal-review path. If any required input is unknown, say that financial value cannot yet be judged.

Place a one-page summary before the technical packet. Use large, clear section labels and short sentences:

- `今天先做什么`: one immediate action.
- `最晚哪一天`: exact formal deadline and source.
- `去哪里做`: official office, form, portal, or mailing method.
- `需要准备什么`: only the documents needed for the immediate action.
- `为什么可能估高了`: one-sentence evidence summary.
- `最后可能怎样`: reduced, unchanged, possibly increased, or rejected/returned for a filing problem.
- `下一封信是什么`: the next confirmed notice or state that it is not yet known.
- `需要真人帮助吗`: identify a county contact, trusted helper, appraiser, or attorney only when appropriate.

Do not place citations, calculations, or long definitions on this cover page. Cross-reference the detailed pages that support it.

## Filing section

- Current county BOE-305-AH or authorized e-filing record.
- Correct applicant, parcel, assessment year, roll type, appeal basis, and opinion of value.
- Signature/certification completed by an authorized person.
- Filing deadline and authorized delivery method verified from a current official source.
- Proof of timely filing retained.

## Valuation section

- One-page official valuation snapshot.
- Subject-property fact sheet and identified Assessor-record errors.
- Correct valuation date and latest admissible comparable-sale date.
- Comparable-sales table with direct sources.
- Supported market-value range, requested value, calculation notes, confidence, and counterevidence.

## Exhibit section

Number exhibits consistently:

- Exhibit 1: assessment notice and official property record.
- Exhibits 2–4 or more: verified comparable-sale records.
- Next exhibits: subject photographs, inspection, repair estimates, permits/plans, maps, disclosures, appraisal, or closing documents as applicable.
- Final exhibit: valuation summary and source list.

For every exhibit list title, date, source, pages, fact proved, and valuation-date relevance.

## Supporting statement

- State the requested value and valuation date.
- Explain the strongest subject facts and comparables.
- Cross-reference exhibits.
- Disclose material differences and counterevidence.
- Avoid legal conclusions, unsupported adjustments, and claims about ability to pay.

## Hearing preparation

- Track acknowledgment, deficiency notices, local rules, exchange-of-information dates, hearing notice, and continuance/stipulation requirements.
- Prepare a concise opening, property summary, comparable walkthrough, requested value, and response to the Assessor's strongest evidence.
- Bring or submit exhibits in the county-required format and quantity.
- Arrange attendance of an appraisal/report preparer if needed.
- Continue paying taxes on time.

## After decision

- Record the decision date and enrolled value.
- Verify refund or corrected-bill processing with the proper county office.
- Preserve the application, filing proof, exhibits, hearing record, decision, and correspondence.
- Identify any further deadline from current official guidance without providing litigation advice.